Human Rights and Islam in the Legal Systems of Indonesia and Malaysia: An Overview
Keywords:
Human Rights, Islam, Legal Systems, Indonesia, Malaysia.
Abstract
In Malaysia and Indonesia, human rights are often seen as products of the West, thus seen as a threat to Muslims and the religion of Islam itself. This misconception has led to the belief that any discourse on human rights is inherently un-Islamic and contrary to Eastern traditions. This article discusses the concept of human rights from the perspective of Islam and law in Malaysia and Indonesia to resolve these misunderstandings. In other words, this article aims to clarify that human rights are not incompatible with Islam; rather, Islam itself upholds and protects human dignity and rights. However, human rights in Islam must be based on the balance of sharia which is based on the principles of maqasid sharia and not based solely on human desires and desires. The paper explores the definition of human rights and related issues in Indonesia and Malaysia from both Islamic and legal perspectives, demonstrating that a clear understanding of human rights—rooted in national constitutions and religious principles—can dispel confusion and foster greater societal adherence to human rights norms.
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Baderin., Mashood A. International Human Rights and Islamic Law. Oxford University Press, 2003.
Bahrain, Deny Susanto, and Tubagus Achmad Darodjat. “The Position Of Human Rights in Indonesia Constitutional Law.” Journal Evidence Of Law 3, no. 3 (2024). https://doi.org/10.59066/jel.v3i3.943.
Donnelly, Jack. Universal Human Rights: In Theory & Practice. Cornell University Press, 2003.
Flambonita, Suci, Vera Novianti, and Artha Febriansyah. “THE CONCEPT OF LEGAL PLURALISM IN INDONESIA IN THE NEW SOCIAL MOVEMENT.” Jurnal Analisa Sosiologi 10, no. 1 (2021).
Geovani, Iwoeng, Siti Nurkhotijah, Harry Kurniawan, Feby Milanie, and Rico Nur Ilham. JURIDICAL ANALYSIS OF VICTIMS OF THE ECONOMIC EXPLOITATION OF CHILDREN UNDER THE AGE TO REALIZE LEGAL PROTECTION FROM HUMAN RIGHTS ASPECTS (RESEARCH STUDY AT THE OFFICE OF SOCIAL AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT IN BATAM CITY). 1, no. 1 (2021).
Ghadery, Farnush. “‘Beyond International Human Rights Law – Music and Song in Contextualised Struggles for Gender Equality.’” Transnational Legal Theory 13, no. 1 (2022): 31–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/20414005.2022.2081906.
“Hak Asasi Manusia Menurut Acuan Islam - The Patriots.” Accessed December 29, 2025. https://thepatriots.asia/hak-asasi-manusia-menurut-acuan-islam/.
Hohmann, Jessie, and Beth Goldblatt, eds. The Right to the Continuous Improvement of Living Conditions: Responding to Complex Global Challenges. Hart Publishing, 2021. https://doi.org/10.5040/9781509947867.
Iristian, Yovan. “Pursuit of Fairness: Human Rights and Social Justice in Indonesia’s Legal Landscape.” Journal of Progressive Law and Legal Studies 2, no. 01 (2024): 34–48. https://doi.org/10.59653/jplls.v2i01.530.
Iswahyudi, Eko. “Human Rights and Legal Reforms in Indonesia: Challenges and Progress.” The Journal of Academic Science 2, no. 2 (2025): 734–43. https://doi.org/10.59613/ydvwta66.
“Jangan Lupakan Perjuangan Ulama, Agamawan Capai Kemerdekaan.” Accessed December 29, 2025. https://www.bharian.com.my/rencana/agama/2018/08/468328/jangan-lupakan-perjuangan-ulama-agamawan-capai-kemerdekaan.
Knox, John H. “Constructing the Human Right to a Healthy Environment.” Annual Review of Law and Social Science 16, no. 1 (2020): 79–95. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-031720-074856.
Lawson, Anna, and Angharad E. Beckett. “The Social and Human Rights Models of Disability: Towards a Complementarity Thesis.” The International Journal of Human Rights 25, no. 2 (2021): 348–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533.
Lawson, Anna, and Angharad E. Beckett. “The Social and Human Rights Models of Disability: Towards a Complementarity Thesis.” The International Journal of Human Rights 25, no. 2 (2021): 348–79. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1783533.
Medvedeva, Masha, Michel Vols, and Martijn Wieling. “Using Machine Learning to Predict Decisions of the European Court of Human Rights.” Artificial Intelligence and Law 28, no. 2 (2020): 237–66. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10506-019-09255-y.
Purnomo, Agus, Nor Salam, Mukhammad Zamzami, and Abu Bakar. “Dimensions of Maqāṣid Al-Sharī‘Ah and Human Rights in the Constitutional Court’s Decision on Marriage Age Difference in Indonesia.” Samarah: Jurnal Hukum Keluarga Dan Hukum Islam 7, no. 3 (2023): 1397–421. https://doi.org/10.22373/sjhk.v7i3.13283.
Putra, Nandha Risky, and Rosa Linda. “IMPACT OF SOCIAL CHANGE ON SOCIETY FROM THE CRIME OF CORRUPTION.” Integritas : Jurnal Antikorupsi 8, no. 1 (2022): 13–24. https://doi.org/10.32697/integritas.v8i1.898.
Putri, Ria Wierma, Yunita Maya Putri, and Eddy Rifai. “Exploring the Effectiveness of the Human Rights Court in Indonesia: A Call for Humanitarian Action.” Journal of Liberty and International Affairs 10, no. 2 (2024): 97–118. https://doi.org/10.47305/JLIA24102097w.
Rahman, Al-Haqeel Sulaiman bin Abd al-. Huquq Al-Insan Fi al-Islam Wa al-Radcl Ala al-Syubuhat al-Mutharah Hawlaha. Matabi’ al-Taqniyyah li al-Ufset, 1994.
Sabrina, Hilda Nur, Badrut Tamam, and Yudha Bagus Tunggala Putra. “Hak Kebebasan Berpendapat Indonesia Dan Malaysia Perspektif Hak Asasi Manusia.” Journal of Law and Islamic Law 2, no. 1 (2024): 95–112.
Wahbah al-Zuḥaylī. Ḥaqq Al-Ḥurrīyah Fī al-ʻālam. Dar al-Fikr al-Mu’asir & Dar al-Fikr, 2000.
Zahira, Shafa Dhia, Ahmad Mujaddid, and Mutia Hariati Hussin. “Analysis on Human Rights Enforcement by Adopting UDHR inIndonesia and Malaysia.” Proceedings of Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta Graduate Conference 1, no. 1 (2021). https://prosiding.umy.ac.id/grace/index.php/pgrace/article/view/385.
Zuiderveen Borgesius, Frederik J. “Strengthening Legal Protection against Discrimination by Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence.” The International Journal of Human Rights 24, no. 10 (2020): 1572–93. https://doi.org/10.1080/13642987.2020.1743976.
Published
2026-03-25
How to Cite
Ahmad, N. (2026). Human Rights and Islam in the Legal Systems of Indonesia and Malaysia: An Overview. SAMI LAW REVIEW, 2(1), 1-14. https://doi.org/10.21093/samilrev.v2i1.12529
Section
Articles
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